“What? You’re still coming?”

“Yes. We both are,” I state. “I’ve got to go, okay? I’ll let you know when we leave.”

“Okay.” My mother’s voice is giddy now. “See you then.”

“Bye, Mom,” I say as the doors open. “She’s thrilled,” I tell Viv as she steps inside the elevator. I follow her in.

She walks over to me until we’re only inches apart. “I’m glad.” She smiles up at me, and I slip my hands underneath her jacket and along her back. Heat burns through the thin fabric of her dress; it’s reflected in her cerulean eyes.

“Viv, I already don’t want to go to this party,” I whisper. “You can’t keep looking at me like that.”

She kisses me until the doors ding, indicating we’ve arrived at the ground floor. I groan as she pulls away.

“Let’s go.” She grabs my hand and pulls me out of the elevator after her. All eight of her agents stand in the hotel lobby. Viv strides past them and out into the cold air, tugging me along with her.

The ten of us pile into the black SUVs and pull away from the hotel.

“Address?” Michael asks, glancing back from the front passenger seat.

“34 Fourth Street,” I rattle off.

The trip to my former home only lasts minutes. The blue house is more crowded than I’ve ever seen it when we pull up in front. If all of the neighbors weren’t in attendance, I have no doubt there’d be noise complaints.

“You ready?” I ask Viv.

She nods.

Michael glances back at us. “We’ll escort you up to the house and then remain outside. Call if you need anything, okay?”

Viv opens the door and steps outside. I follow. Our appearance sparks a wave of activity among the crowd assembled on the front lawn of the blue house. I place my hand on the small of Viv’s back and guide her up the brick pathway and onto the porch in the midst of her security team. They melt away when we reach the front door. I don’t bother knocking, just open the door. One freshman rushes over as it swings open. He stops as soon as he sees my face.

I walk inside the front room, Viv alongside me. Every person in the room is staring at us. I pull her to my side as we walk through the crowded room into the dining room. Predictably, Anderson is huddled around the table with a bunch of other football players.

“Dawson!” he shouts when we appear in the doorway. Immediately, he stands and comes over to us. He gives me a slap on the back and then shifts his gaze to Viv. Anderson lets out a low whistle of appreciation, and I glare at him. He meets my hard look with a smirk.

“Vivienne, how set are you on Dawson?” he asks brazenly.

Viv rolls her eyes. “You couldn’t handle me, Anderson.”

I grin.

“I’m going to find Katie,” she informs me.